See footage of person of interest in killing of Ohio dentist and wife
- - See footage of person of interest in killing of Ohio dentist and wife
Melina Khan and Bailey Gallion, USA TODAY NETWORKJanuary 6, 2026 at 6:47 PM
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Police in Columbus, Ohio, have released new footage of a person of interest in the shocking shooting deaths of a couple in their home on Dec. 30.
Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, were found dead of apparent gunshot wounds on Dec. 30 after co-workers of Spencer, a local dentist, called police for a well-being check when he didn't show up for work, according to Columbus Police and The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network.
The couple's two young children, ages 1 and 4, were unharmed in the home, police said. A Columbus police spokesperson told the Dispatch on Dec. 30 there were no indications a murder-suicide had occurred.
On the evening of Monday, Jan. 5, Columbus police released new details in the investigation, including footage of a person of interest walking near the Tepes' home, days after calling for the public's help in providing photos and videos from the area.
Meanwhile, the couple's loved ones are "heartbroken beyond words," the Tepe family wrote in a statement to USA TODAY on Jan. 2.
"They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others," the statement said. The couple's fifth wedding anniversary would have been on Jan. 30.
Here's the latest we know in the case.
More on Spencer and Monique Tepe: Family says couple had 'deeply happy relationship'
Police release video footage of person of interest
Detectives believe Spencer and Monique Tepe were murdered in the upstairs of their home sometime between 2 and 5 a.m. local time on the morning of Dec. 30, Columbus police said in a statement on the evening of Jan. 5.
Police also released newly recovered video footage of a person walking in an alley near the Tepes' home during that period. The video shows a person apparently wearing a hooded jacket with their hands in their pockets. Their face is not visible.
Any local community members who may have information that could help police should call 614-645-2228 or anonymously at 614-461-8477.
"We know there are questions and concerns surrounding this tragic incident," Columbus police said. "Detectives are working diligently to solve this case. We will continue to update you as the investigation progresses."
Timeline from when Spencer and Monique Tepe were found dead
Spencer and Monique Tepe of Columbus, Ohio, are pictured on their wedding day on Jan. 31, 2021. Their bodies were found in their home on Dec. 30, 2025, about a month shy of their fifth anniversary.
Shortly after 9 a.m. on Dec. 30, Columbus police received a call from a colleague of Spencer's requesting a well-being check because he had not reported to work, according to recordings obtained by the Dispatch via a public records request.
“He is always on time and he would contact us if there was any issue whatsoever,” the colleague said in the call to police. “I just don’t know how else to say this. We’re very very concerned. It’s very out of character.”
At 9:22 a.m., an officer responded to the couple's home in the Weinland Park neighborhood. They reported there was no answer at the door and apparently left, based on the records.
At 9:57 a.m., a man called police, saying he was at the home and could hear children inside. At 10 a.m., another co-worker called police, saying she was so concerned for Spencer's wellbeing that she was also heading to the couple's home.
At 10:05 a.m., a friend called police from the home. He said he went there because Spencer was not answering the phone. The friend told police he could see Spencer's body inside the home, laying next to the bed.
Police returned to the home and executed a search warrant, at which point they found the Tepes dead. Spencer had been shot multiple times, according to a radio run log obtained by the Dispatch via a public records request.
Contributing: Amanda Lee Myers, USA TODAY
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Person of interest in Ohio dentist, wife deaths seen in new footage
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